Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of Frank Stronach. He hasn't torn down the hillside turf course for condo's...yet! And the elevator towers to Frontrunners (he does come up with great restaurants as someone said earlier) and matrix boards in the walking ring have not only ruined the setting but made it more condensed and more difficult to see the horses.

However, this is not the first time that GP has gotten it wrong when it comes to racetrack innovations. I lived in So. Florida from 1989-1995 and witnessed firsthand 1) the "new" turf course chute (at the cost of $500,000) that had to be closed down within weeks of the meet's opening (and ultimately re-built)because there was no way to manuever the first turn for 1/2 the field; 2) the "new" (now former) walking ring where the railing completely blocked the view of the body of the horse from the shoulders to the top of the hind legs; 3)the concerts next to the paddock that caused at least one horse to kill itself and others to injure themselves in a frenzy from the rock bands; and 4) the Paddock Bar that was famous not only for jockey agent fights and torn shirts, but also drunks hurling glasses and people out towards the walking ring which at least once resulted in the cancellation of the last race.

If Stronach is finally taking advice from the locals (like Doug Donn who refused to show the national telecast of the Florida Derby in So. Florida for 25 years because it might adversely affect the attendance...and when it was finally broadcast there, next year's attendance went through the roof!), he could merely be the victim of perennial bad advice.

Personally, I don't believe that is the case. When the GP website first put up the plans for the new clubhouse, it included floorplans. Those were removed at some point - I don't know when. But it was obvious from the start that this was a casino.

The ramp that the horses have to go up from the saddling tunnel to the walking ring for the brief appearance is where I thought he would have the circular driveway for valet parking once the machines were in. From what I hear, that may be why there is no more seating in the sun around the walking ring, nor are they saddled there.

I never believed he would rebuild GP after seeing the setup at Palm Meadows. And if the slots prove more profitable, perhaps the racing will be relocated there. But in the meantime, who is going to pay to come to Florida to sit inside an airconditioned (as opposed to heated) facility and watch the races on TV?

Frank would have been better off if he had asked the Tourist Industry for advice on his designs rather than the local track officials.

Delmar Deb